Every skipper on the Vendée Globe expects a problem every day but the first few days of the tenth edition have been especially tough for Maxime Sorel (V and B -Monbana-Mayenne) whose troubles have escalated. He started with a gennaker problem that was quickly resolved with a patch, then the mainsail hook. It is now jammed an while trying to repair it, yesterday Maxime injured his ankle. Since then Sorel has been struggling to find a solution. And so he has elected to seek shelter in Madeira to climb the mast and try to make repairs.
Sorel explains:
Maxime
Sorel
V AND B - MONBANA - MAYENNE
"I tried to lower the mainsail this morning but it stayed stuck at reef 3. I then wanted to climb the mast but the sea was too rough and I ended up giving up. My arms were so numb and that didn't help my ankle injury that I have been monitoring with the race doctors for 48 hours. I have to face the facts, the hook is broken. So I decided to gybe and head at reduced speed towards Madeira to find shelter. I will then climb the mast and try to lower the mainsail to 100%. I wasn't expecting such a complicated start to the Vendée Globe but I tell myself that I will find the best solutions.”
© Maxime Falcone
